Thabiti Brown (Head of School at Codman Academy Charter Public School)

No:

Tito Jackson (Boston City Councilor)

Harneen Chernow (BPS parent and former member on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education)

Moderator: Mike Deehan (Reporter for WGBH News)

Should Massachusetts Voters Raise the Charter School Cap?

A Forum on Question 2

In November, Massachusetts voters will be voting for President, Congress, and state offices. Voters in the Commonwealth will also decide four important ballot measures. Question 2 would enable the state to authorize up to 12 new charter schools each year across the state. Priority would be given to proposed charter schools in public school districts that are in the bottom quarter in terms of performance. This ballot question features passionate, and well-funded campaigns on both sides, and public polling has been tight. At this forum, audience members will be exposed to arguments from both sides, have the opportunity to ask questions, and will leave more informed about the issue at hand.

This forum will include two proponents and two opponents of Question 2. On the “yes” side will be Shane Dunn, Coalition Director at Great Schools Massachusetts, and Thabiti Brown, Head of School at Codman Academy Charter Public School. On the “no” side will be Tito Jackson, a Boston City Councilor, and Harneen Chernow, a Boston Public Schools parent and former member of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.